BACKGROUND: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), a rare and recurrent autoinflammatory disease, imposes a substantial burden on patients and society. Awareness of GPP in China remains limited. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey, conducted between September 2021 and May 2023 across 14 hospitals in China, included GPP patients of all ages and disease phases. Data collected encompassed demographics, clinical characteristics, economic impact, disease severity, quality of life, and treatment-related complications. Risk factors for GPP recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 127 patients (female/male ratio = 1.35:1), the mean age of disease onset was 25 years (1st quartile [Q1]-3rd quartile [Q3]: 11-44 years); 29.2% had experienced GPP for more than 10 years. Recurrence occurred in 75.6% of patients, and nearly half reported no identifiable triggers. Younger age at disease onset ( P  = 0.021) and transitioning to plaque psoriasis ( P  = 0.022) were associated with higher recurrence rates. The median diagnostic delay was 8 months (Q1-Q3: 2-41 months), and 32.3% of patients reported misdiagnoses. Comorbidities were present in 53.5% of patients, whereas 51.1% experienced systemic complications during treatment. Depression and anxiety affected 84.5% and 95.6% of patients, respectively. During GPP flares, the median Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 19.0 (Q1-Q3: 13.0-23.5). This score showed significant differences between patients with and without systemic symptoms; it demonstrated correlations with both depression and anxiety scores. Treatment costs caused financial hardship in 55.9% of patients, underscoring the burden associated with GPP. CONCLUSIONS The substantial disease and economic burdens among Chinese GPP patients warrant increased attention. Patients with early onset disease and those transitioning to plaque psoriasis require targeted interventions to mitigate the high recurrence risk.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Psoriasis/pathology* ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adolescent ; Child ; Young Adult ; Quality of Life ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; East Asian People

Rapid and ultrasensitive detection of pathogen-associated biomarkers is vital for the early diagnosis and therapy of bacterial infections. Herein, we developed a close-packed and ordered Au@AgPt array coupled with a cascade triggering strategy for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and colorimetric identification of the Staphylococcus aureus biomarker micrococcal nuclease (MNase) in serum samples. The trimetallic Au@AgPt nanozymes can catalyze the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) molecules to SERS-enhanced oxidized TMB (oxTMB), accompanied by the color change from colorless to blue. In the presence of S. aureus, the secreted MNase preferentially cut the nucleobase AT-rich regions of DNA sequences on magnetic beads (MBs) to release alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which subsequently mediated the oxTMB reduction for inducing the colorimetric/SERS signal fade away. Using this "on-to-off" triggering strategy, the target S. aureus can be recorded in a wide linear range with a limit of detection of 38 CFU/mL in the colorimetric mode and 6 CFU/mL in the SERS mode. Meanwhile, the MNase-mediated strategy characterized by high specificity and sensitivity successfully discriminated between patients with sepsis (n = 7) and healthy participants (n = 3), as well as monitored the prognostic progression of the disease (n = 2). Overall, benefiting from highly active and dense "hot spot" substrate, MNase-mediated cascade response strategy, and colorimetric/SERS dual-signal output, this methodology will offer a promising avenue for the early diagnosis of S. aureus infection.

L-citrulline is a nonprotein amino acid that plays an important role in human health and has great market demand. Although microbial cell factories have been widely used for biosynthesis, there are still challenges such as genetic instability and low efficiency in the biosynthesis of L-citrulline. In this study, an efficient, plasmid-free, non-inducible L-citrulline-producing strain of Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) was engineered by combined strategies. Firstly, a chassis strain capable of synthesizing L-citrulline was constructed by block of L-citrulline degradation and removal of feedback inhibition, with the L-citrulline titer of 0.43 g/L. Secondly, a push-pull-restrain strategy was employed to enhance the L-citrulline biosynthesis, which realized the L-citrulline titer of 6.0 g/L. Thirdly, the NADPH synthesis and L-citrulline transport were strengthened to promote the synthesis efficiency, which achieved the L-citrulline titer of 11.6 g/L. Finally, fed-batch fermentation was performed with the engineered strain in a 3 L fermenter, in which the L-citrulline titer reached 44.9 g/L. This study lays the foundation for the industrial production of L-citrulline and provides insights for the modification of other amino acid metabolic networks.
Citrulline/biosynthesis* ; Escherichia coli/genetics* ; Metabolic Engineering/methods* ; Fermentation ; NADP/biosynthesis*

This study was designed to investigate the effect of hypoxia on preeclampsia(PE)by modulating the Src/Siglec-6/SHP2 signaling pathway in the cytoplasm of trophoblast cells.Mouse model of PE was established in normal control and Siglec-6 knockdown mice by L-NAME administration,with aims of studying the changes in vascular diameter of spiral arteries in vivo and examining the expression levels of Siglec-6,p-Src,p-Shp2 and p-ERK1/2 proteins in mouse uterine vascular tissues.While,the effect of Src/Siglec-6/SHP2 on the invasive proliferation of trophoblast cells was explored by culturing human chorionic trophoblast cells HTR-8/SVneo with hypoxia in vitro.In vivo experimental assays showed that the diameter of spiral arteries was reduced in the Siglec-6 knockdown group of mice,and the expression levels of Siglec-6,p-Src,p-SHP2 and p-ERK1/2 proteins were significantly reduced.In vitro hypoxic HTR-8/SVneo cell model results revealed that Siglec-6 overexpression could promote trophoblast cell invasion and proliferation by regulating p-Src,p-SHP2,p-ERK1/2,MMP2,P53 and P21.While,suppression of Src and SHP2 eliminated Siglec-6 overexpression-mediated Siglec-6,p-Src,p-SHP2 and p-ERK1/2 expression,and inhibited the ability of Siglec-6 overexpression to mediate trophoblast invasion and proliferation.Taken together,Siglec-6 plays an important role in preeclampsia,and can alleviate preeclampsia by promoting trophoblast invasion and proliferation through the Src/SHP2 signalling pathway.

Objective To analyze the risk factors for extrauterine growth retardation(EUGR)in late preterm infants appropriate for gestational age.Methods The clinical data in 1 402 preterm infants appropri-ate for gestational age delivered and hospitalized in this hospital from January 2016 to June 2022 were analyzed retrospectively.They were divided into the EUGR group(n=244)and the non-EUGR group(n=1 158)ac-cording to whether or not the body weight at discharge was below the 10th percentile of the growth curve for the same gestational age at the same period based on the Fenton's preterm growth curve.The clinical data of preterm infants and mothers of the two groups were collected.The risk factors for EUGR occurrence in pre-mature infants were analyzed.Results Among 1 402 preterm infants appropriate for gestational age,EUGR occurred in 244 cases with the EUGR incidence rate of 17.4％.The EUGR incidence rate had no statistical difference among the different fetal ages of premature infants(P＞0.05).The EUGR incidence rate had sta-tistical difference among different birth weights of premature infants(P＜0.05).The logistic regression anal-ysis showed that male(OR=1.694,95％CI:1.144-2.507),low birth weight(OR=0.989,95％CI:0.988-0.991),feeding intolerance(OR=2.719,95％CI:1.234-5.990),short gestational weeks(OR=0.146,95％CI:0.103-0.207)and hospitalization duration extension(OR=1.073,95％CI:1.031-1.117)were the risk factors for EUGR occurrence in late premature infants appropriate for gestational age in discharge.The sub-group analysis showed that male,low birth weight,feeding intolerance and hospitalization duration extension were the risk factors for EUGR occurrence in the preterm infants with gestational ages of 34-＜36 weeks(P＜0.05).Low birth weight and feeding intolerance only affected the preterm infants≥36 weeks of gesta-tional age(P＜0.05).Conclusion Strengthening the pregnant duration health care and active nutritional sup-port after birth may reduce the risk of EUGR occurrence in late premature infants.

Objective To explore the application value of Three-Dimensional rectal cavity ultrasound combined with contrast agent imaging in necrotizing fasciitis of the anal region.Methods Before surgery,standard three-dimensional rectal cavity ultrasound examinations(referred to as the conventional group)and contrast agent imaging examinations(referred to as the imaging group)were conducted for 40 patients clinically diagnosed with anal region necrotizing fasciitis.Separate observations were made for the primary lesion,as well as for the depth and superficial necrosis of the fascia,and injuries to the anal sphincter muscle.Comparative analysis with surgical results was undertaken to assess the diagnostic sensitivity of both the conventional and imaging groups.Results In comparing the conventional group with the imaging group,the rates of primary lesion visibility rose significantly from 70%to 97.5%,deep fascial necrosis visibility increased from 50%to 88.8%,superficial fascia visibility improved from 70%to 100%,and the visibility of anal sphincter muscle injury escalated from 62.5%to 97.2%,all demonstrating statistical significance at P<0.05.Conclusions Three-dimensional rectal cavity ultrasound combined with contrast agent imaging exhibits significantly enhanced accuracy in identifying primary lesions associated with perianal necrotizing fasciitis,as well as the necrosis affecting deep and superficial fascia,in contrast to conventional three-dimensional rectal cavity ultrasound.This advancement offers more precise guidance for clinicians in devising surgical plans,thereby augmenting the success rate of surgical interventions.

Objective To investigate the value of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid(Gd-EOB-DTPA)enhanced MRI in preoperative prediction of vessels encapsulating tumor clusters(VETC)pattern in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods A total of 234 patients diagnosed with HCC by pathology were analyzed retrospectively.A total of 101 VETC-positive HCC patients and 133 VETC-negative HCC patients were included.All patients were divided into training group and validation group according to 7︰3.The training group data were used to construct a prediction model for VETC-positive HCC.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to verify the diagnostic efficiency of the model.Calibration curve was drawn to verify the calibration of the model.Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis predicted the independent risk factors for VETC-positive HCC:portal phase peripheral washout[odds ratio(OR)6.493],necrosis or severe ischemia(OR 4.756),targetoid transitional phase or hepatobiliary phase(OR 0.307),and lesion to liver signal intensity ratio(LLR)on arterial phase(OR 0.074).The AUC of the training group in predicting VETC-positive HCC was 0.790[95%confidence interval(CI)0.720-0.859].The AUC of the validation group in predicting VETC-positive HCC was 0.779(95%CI 0.668-0.889).The calibration curve diagram showed that the calibration curve(the slope was 0.91)almost coincides with the ideal curve,indicating that the prediction model had better calibration.Conclusion The qualitative and quantitative characteristics of Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI can be used to predict VETC-positive HCC preoperatively,the independent risk factors of VETC include portal phase peripheral washout,necrosis or severe ischemia,targetoid transitional phase or hepatobiliary phase,and LLR on arterial phase.

Objective:To investigate the current situation of coping styles in Crohn's disease patients and its related influencing factors.Methods:A total of 80 patients with Crohn's disease admitted to our hospital from Apri 2021 to Dec 2022 were selected to evaluate their coping styles with a simple coping style questionnaire,and relevant data were collected.The factors affecting the coping styles of Crohn's disease were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression.Results:Among the 80 patients,29 cases were negative coping,the incidence was 36.25% .There were 51 patients with positive coping(63.75% ).Educational level,simplified Crohn's disease activity index(CDAI)score,adverse psychology,social support and type D personality were associated with negative coping(P＜0.05).Gender,age,family history,working status,monthly family income,place of residence,and marital status were not associated with negative coping in patients with Crohn's disease(P＞0.05).Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that education level of high school or below(OR=2.945,95% CI:1.139-7.614),higher CDAI score(OR=11.999,95% CI:4.387-32.815),poor psychology(OR=5.950,95% CI:2.180-16.239),low social support(OR=3.598,95% CI:1.370-9.448)and type D personality(OR=3.208,95% CI:1.118-8.904)were risk factors for negative coping in patients with Crohn's disease(P＜0.05).Conclusions:The incidence of negative coping in patients with Crohn's disease is higher,which is related to high school education or below,high CDAI score,poor psychology,low social support,and type D personality.Therefore,clinical measures can be taken to promote patients to actively cope with the disease.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of the maze design of a proton therapy system.Methods:According to the construction scheme of a medical proton therapy system, the ambient neutron dose equivalent rate outside the maze entrance was estimated by numerical analytical formula, and compared with the monitoring result.Results:The ambient neutron dose equivalent rate was estimated at between 3.85×10 -2 μSv/h and 7.57 μSv/h and measured to be ≤1.56 μSv/h. Conclusions:The maze entrance was designed to have 5 sections of tunnel for cyclotron room and 3 sections of tunnel for treatment room, respectively, each with designated length and width. The levels of ambient dose equivalent rate outside the maze entrance is acceptable.